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beary_clairey Luton
Posts: 518

I want to design a bear with a more rounded head and wondered whether a wider head gusset would do it ???

What do you think????

Hugs

Claire

New Avenue Crew New Avenue Crew by Debora Hoffmann
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,959
Website

I would think so...and I remember reading that for a more realistic panda head with fuller cheeks, some artists put darts in the side head pieces for more fullness. I'm sure someone with more experience can help you more than I can!  bear_smile

SunnieOne Sunnie Bears
Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 1,167

a center seam gusset can really help. Instead of just splitting it right down the middle in a straight line, make the straight line an arc instead
I will make a picture and post it here

gusset.jpg

Shelli SHELLI MAKES
Chico, California
Posts: 9,939
Website

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

Wow, Sonya, what a great tip!  Thank you!

psichick78 Flying Fur Studios
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,073

Hey Claire, just popping in real quick.

I'm not sure if just the head gusset would do, depending on how big you make them now I suppose. But i would think darts as well. Those will really help you get a nice round shape.

At least that's what i would do anyway........

New Avenue Crew New Avenue Crew by Debora Hoffmann
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,959
Website

Sonya, that's a great idea! Have you made a bear with a curved-center-seam gusset? Sounds great!

SunnieOne Sunnie Bears
Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 1,167

I have made several with this method. I will have to find a picture of one if I can remeber which ones I did it with

New Avenue Crew New Avenue Crew by Debora Hoffmann
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,959
Website

Neat--that would be fascinating to see the effect. bear_smile

Jane Perala Jane Perala Designs Ltd.
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Posts: 819

My most recent bear Alexis (posted on the bears and friends section) was made with a curved gusset, and it really gives a round head.

Jane P.

New Avenue Crew New Avenue Crew by Debora Hoffmann
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,959
Website

Oh, yes! I see it now. A wonderful effect. bear_thumb

Swan Valley Bears Swan Valley Bears
Penn Valley, CA
Posts: 1,845

Thanks for asking the quesiton, Claire.  I was just pondering a center seam head.  Hmm, now I'll try.

How do you place the two gusset pieces on the nap  of the fur???  The same way you would for one???

beary_clairey Luton
Posts: 518

Thanks for the tips everyone I will definitely try some of these methods and of course show you all my results !!!

Hugs :hug:

Claire

Shelli SHELLI MAKES
Chico, California
Posts: 9,939
Website

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

Toby wrote:

How do you stitch them together? Would it be similar effect to a four piece body, like how you make the two "boats" where they are curved and it gives more roundness .. I suspect this does the same thing? You will get a rounded edge in the center, therefore making a more rounded dome of head?

Did any of that make sense????

Toby

Yes, it did, Toby!  I havne't done this but my understanding of it is the same as yours.

Jane Perala Jane Perala Designs Ltd.
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Posts: 819

I-Love-Teddy-for-TT.jpgThis is one I made a couple of years ago with the center seam of the gusset cut on a curve.  He is about 16" tall, and took more work than dressing a bear does.  My hands hurt for days after from all the plucking.  However the curve does make a nice round head.  Remember that the whole head will be bigger when you do it, so you may want to reduce the size of all the head pieces a bit.

Jane P.

SunnieOne Sunnie Bears
Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 1,167

How do you place the two gusset pieces on the nap  of the fur???  The same way you would for one???

When I do a center seam teddy, I place each gusset piece so the nap is going from the center out towwards the ears.

Toby, you are exactly correct.

Jane,  What a sweet guy. He IS worth all of the work.

Sonya

beary_clairey Luton
Posts: 518

Jane - what a gorgeous bear !!!

I love that centre seam idea. What a really helpful group of ladies you all are!!!

Big Hugs

Claire

Eileen Baird'sBears
Toronto
Posts: 3,873

bear_original Wonderful tip, Sonya--thank you! :hug:

I've been experimenting with gusset sizes and darts, but I'll definitely give this a try!

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